Seeing the state of reform that has taken place to this day, this country is still in the process of achieving the full democracy that it aspires to.
There have been many significant and good developments, such as the democratic elections held directly, as well as the independence of the mass media which is quite free at this time.
Currently, the media has a strategic role in influencing public opinion for the sake of desire.
The success of the general election also cannot be separated from the role of the media in reporting it and circulating in the public sphere.
The problem now is whether social media is successful in carrying out its function as a means of political education for the Indonesian people and what is the role of social media in elections in Indonesia.
Thus, the position of the world of social media in general elections in the public is very strategic and important, namely adding information related to general elections that can influence the behavior of a voter and be elected so that it will have an impact on the political situation in the archipelago.
Over time, the role of the mass media/press has shifted with the presence of social media or social media entering the era of 2000.
The mass media which was previously controlled by some people and can be dictated by the government, has changed completely with social media formats that can be owned and controlled by anyone.
Only, by registering himself on the respective social media platforms.
With the method between users who are connected to each other, many political, economic, social and cultural discussions and others can be discussed in the public space freely without any barriers.
The public can also directly provide an assessment by commenting directly on the country's leaders through government accounts and the leader's account directly.
The variety of social media platforms that are most widely used by the public such as Youtube, Twitter, Facebook, WhatsApp, and various other social media.
Compared to broadcast systems on print and television media, social media is more practical by utilizing the internet network.
Social media also allows its users to participate actively in order to contribute openly, both in terms of sharing news and information or responding online in a short time.
In fact, the active contributions of these users can be utilized by the election contestants as a campaign medium.
The use of media is now a basic need in the daily life of modern humans.
This condition runs with the presence of media devices with internet connections that make them connected to each other.
Thus, news information can be easily accessed even though they are very far apart, be it political news from abroad, to the world of artistry from other countries to legal events that are currently turbulent in other parts of the world.
Communication that was previously limited through direct communication between humans who meet each other physically, then makes it possible to meet at any time through online networks without having to meet physically, one of which is through the media by communicating with each other through social media access.
Through the presence of online social media, it can be seen that there is a shift in the use of communication media, which was initially characterized by classic (print and electronic media), to new media or new media based on internet networks as access to activate social media.
With the use of social media, one of which is for political campaigns, even citizens of a country who are in other parts of the world can find out and seek information and interact with candidates who are competing in their home country.
In fact, there are also many overseas campaign teams from candidate pairs who work to win the parties they support by using social media.
(RM)
